Phoenix Coyotes ready for key test against Tampa Bay Lightning

by Jim Gintonio - Oct. 29, 2010 06:29 PMThe Arizona Republic

A team meeting in Detroit the day before the Coyotes played the Red Wings had the desired effect, resulting in a 4-2 victory Thursday night. The next test, trying to maintain that level of play, comes Saturday against Tampa Bay.

The Coyotes (3-3-3) are coming off a road trip in which they picked up three points despite very uneven performances in the first two games.

"We talked as a group," coach Dave Tippett said. "It's consistency, and how we want to compete and how we want to play, and we've lacked that this year.

The Lightning (6-2-1) have been one of the surprise teams in the league. Averaging 3.5 goals per game, they are led by a trio very familiar to Tippett - he has coached Martin St. Louis, Steven Stamkos and Vincent Lecavalier in international competition.

"They're top players, they're players that have a distinct impact on the game because their skill levels are so high, and Marty St. Louis is a guy I've been a big fan of a long time," Tippett said. "Actually, I tried to sign him when I was GM in Houston a long, long time ago. His skill level, his work ethic, he's the guy that I think drives that team.

"Stamkos is a great young player, fantastic shot; Lecavalier is an all-around, just a superstar. So these are players that can impact the game from an offensive side, and you have to be aware when they're on the ice."

The Coyotes will need the type of effort they had against Detroit, forward Lee Stempniak said, adding the team knows it has to improve.

"I think we did a good job of responding ... but it's only the first step," he said. "We need to continue to play well, validate that win on Saturday, and start showing the consistency that you need to be in the playoffs."

Yandle on rumors

Defenseman Keith Yandle said he was not bothered earlier this week hearing or reading rumors that he might be involved in a trade with his hometown Boston Bruins. "It's part of the game, and for now they're just rumors and hopefully you just can't really let it get in your head and you just got to play. It's just rumors," he said.

General Manager Don Maloney dismissed those rumors.

Injury update

Center Martin Hanzal, who has missed five games with an upper-body injury, is close to returning, Tippett said.

"I would say if he doesn't play (Saturday), he'll certainly play on Wednesday."

Tippett said that defenseman Derek Morris (lower body), who left Thursday's game in Detroit in the third period, also is day-to-day.